Ammunition chute



W. H. NOBLES AMMUNITION CHUTE June 6, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.29, 1948 War/en 7i. nob/e3 2 @bwmanm June 6, 1950 w, H, NQBLES 2,510,191

AMMUNITION CHUTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 29, 1948 v War/"en W. 7101)les Patented June 6, 1950 U N [TED S TATES PATENT OFF-ICE AMMUNITIONCHU'IE Warren HJNdbles, St. Paul, Minn. Application October 29, 1948,Serial-No. 57,157

4 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in ammunition chutes wherein it.is desired to provide a, chute construction through which ammunitionorthe like may pass with-aiminimum oftfriction.

In the use of weapons which shoot a series of projectiles, it hasbeenifound desirable to provide :a flexible chute:through-which thechain of projectilesimay-be fed. Not "only is ,itznecessa'ry for thesechutes to "be extremely flexible, but also it is essential that theprojectiles pass through the :chute with a minimum of friction to .avoiddifficulties in quickly deliverin'githe proiectiles'to the gun. Inmyipreviouszpatent, No. 2,488;6'79., for Flexible chute, I disclosed achute which was extremely flexible andwhich included aseries ofoverlapping :plates for guiding the projectiles from one 'chutesectionto the next. While this previous chute was 'found extremelyadvantageous'in use, there was in some instances .a tendency for :theprojectile to catch on'the supporting edges of these overlapping plates,thus somewhat increasing the force necessary to move the projectilesthrough the chute. Furthermore, while the chute sections were soconstructed to be assembled and disassembled in a relatively shortperiod of time, thedetail construction was found to be:s1ight1y' morecomplicated thanwas required to serve-thepurpose.

The object of thepresent invention is to correct theseslightdifficulties encountered in the :manufacture and use of-mypreviouschuteconstruction and to provide a-simplified construction which may be:easily assembled and disassembled when necessary.

Aieature oi thepresent :invention lies in the provision ofaseries ofchute sections equipped with plates designed to be assembledjinoverlapping relation so as to provide a continuous guide for shells orothersarticles andto so support these plates that there is no danger-0fobstructing the passage of the shells'throughthe chute. The platesinclude an elongated :panel of sufficient lengthto overlap thenextradjacent chute. section and this panel is connected to thebody of thechute sectionby'rivets :or'oth'er suitable means which-extend throughlegs onopposite sides of the plate. These legs :areso connected with thesurface of the plateover which the shells slide that there is no dangerofobstructing the free passage of theshell.

-An added featureof the present invention resides in the manner inwhichthe various chute sections areconnected together. Each chute section iscormectedlto the next adjacent sections 2 by a pair of linksarrangedin-overlapping relationship. Th'e'se Jinks :are :connected tothe chute sections bya clip 'having -a pair oisprin ears which extendthrough-the links. Byflexing one or both ofthese spring ears the linksmay be detached from any chute section, permitting any section tobe'qu'ickly removedrandreplaced.

Afeature of the present invention resides-in the provision oi a -linkconnecting means which includes a clipsupported in parallel relation'toa body portion 'of=each-section, but spaced therefrom. Spring earsareconnected in opposedrelation to opposite sides :of this clip, the earsbeing bent to underlie the portion of the :body to which the :cl'ipattached :and 'to :be held against the :body a under spring tension..Aperture means is provided through-the :body portion adjacent'these'earsso that the ears 'maybe'fiexed out of; normalposition-by a to-011 inserted through the aperture to permit the linksto be detached by sliding the :samerbetween the ears and the bodyportion.

These andpther objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully. set forth .in :the foll'owing specification andclaims.

In the drawings forming apart of my specification:

Figure v1 is 'a'top plan view :of is, :series of chute sectionsshowingsthe:constructionithereof.

Figure 2 is an end view of the chute :sections.

Figure3 is a sectional viewi'through one of the chute sections, the:position of the section being indicated bythe line 3-'3:of Figure 1.

Figure 41s a longitudinal section through a portion of the chute, theposition of the section being irrdicatedfby-the linedl of Figure 1.

'Figure 5 is za sectional view llong'itudinally through the chute; theposition :zofxthe section being indicated *byithe line 15- 5 of FigureI1.

Figure- 6 is a perspective view, partially in section showing the:manner 'in which the extension links are connected to *the various chutesections. 7

Figure is 'a View similar *to Figure 6 showing the mann'er in 'wl'ii'chthe individuallinks may be disconnected from a chute section.

Figure' 8'is-a perspectiveview=-0f one of the plates mounted oneach--chute section to overlap the next adjacent section.

Figure 9 is a perspective'view Of a second plate which is mounted oneach chute section, to overlap the next adjacent section.

Figure 10 is a;perpective view of a detail portion of thechute-sections.

The chute A includes a series of sections B which are connected togetherso as to produce a flexible chute. In general my chute is similar tothat illustrated in my previous application above identified, but issomewhat advantageous thereover.

Each chute section includes a U-shaped end portion designed to encloseone end of a shell such as C. The U-shaped end sections In include a topflange II, an end wall flange I2, and a bottom flange I3. The bottomflange I3 is provided with an off-set socket I 4 therein foraccommodating one end of a rod I5. The rod I5 is preferably pressed intothe socket I4 or is otherwise attached thereto and in the constructionillustrated the rod I5 rotates with the socket I4.

The opposite end member I6 includes a top flange an end wall flange I9and a bottom flange 29. The bottom flange 20 is provided with anintegral socket comprising a bearing portion 2| and a, socket portion 22arranged in spaced relationship. The bearing portion 2| is provided withan aperture 23 therethrough through which the rod I5 may extend. Thesocket portion 22 is provided with a recess or aperture 24 extendingpartially therethrough in which the end of the rod I5 is rotatablysupported. A collar 25 isfrictionally engaged on the rod I5 between thesocket portions 2| and 22 and holds the rod I5 from longitudinalmovement relative to these socket portions. Obviously the rod I5 mayrotate within the socket portions 2| and 22 to permit rotation of theend element I6 relative to the end element In.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings the flange II isprovided with a groove 26 in its under-surface, this groove having acentral portion 2! which is slightly deeper than the remainder of thegroove. A similar groove 29 is provided in the end wall I2 and anothersimilar groove 39 is provided in the bottom flange I3. The top flange Iend wall flange I9 and bottom flange 20 of the end member it arelikewise provided with similar grooves 3| 32, and 33, respectively.These grooves are all identical in construction and include similarelements. The various grooves are provided for the purpose of containingsection connecting elements and overlapping guide plates which will belater described in detail.

Each of the grooves thus described is bridged by a pair of elements usedeither for connecting adjacent chute sections or providing a smoothslide for the ammunition. As best illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7of the drawings the flange I I is provided with a plate 34 bridging thegrooves 26 and 21. This plate 34 is best constructed as illustrated inFigure of the drawings and includes a pair of oppositely disposed ears35 and 35 which extend upwardly from opposite sides of the plate andwhich include opposed flanges- 3'! and 39 respectively, which extendinto close proximity with one another. The ears 35 and 36 are formed ofmaterial possessing a certain degree of resilience so-that the flanges3! and 39 may be bent toward the body of the plate 34 withoutpermanently deforming the same. Apertures 40 are provided near oppositeends of the plate for accommodation of the fastening means which will belater described. Also bridging the grooves 26 and 21 and underlying theplate 34 I provide a plate 4| which is designed to extend intooverlapping relation with the next adjacent section B. The plate 4|includes a generally flat upper surface which is bent out of the planeof the rest of the plate at one edge 42 as best illustrated in Figure 8of the drawings. The plate 4| is supported by opposed legs 43 which areconnected with oppositely extending feet or flanges 44. Apertures 45 areprovided in the flanges 44 to accommodate fastening means, the apertures45 being spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the apertures49 in the plate 34.

When legs such as 43 are bent downwardly from a plate such as 4|, thebend usually occurs at a point slightly spaced from the edge of theplate. As a result, small rounded shoulders are produced at each side ofthe leg, these shoulders being flush with the surface of the plate. Fromtime to time these shoulders catch or dig into articles passing throughthe chute, increasing the pull required to draw the articles through thechute and in some cases damaging the articles. One of the primaryobjects of this invention is to eliminate these shoulders.

It will be noticed that the upper edges of both of the parallel legs 43are rounded so that the edges of these legs are somewhat below thesurface of the plate 4|. The rounded edge of the legs adjacent the end42 of the plate 4| curve together with the body of the plate. The otherends 43 of the legs 43 are connected to the plate 4| by curved edgeswhich are below the level of the plate 4|. Thus an object passing over aseries of plates 4| can not engage the corners between the plates 4| andthe legs 43 and therefore can not interfere with the proper movement ofammunition or other material through the chute.

As best illustrated in Figures 3, 6, and 7 of the drawings an aperture41 is provided in the flange II in alignment with the opposed flanges 31and 39 of the plate 34. As a result a tool D may be inserted through theaperture 41 and bear against either of these flanges 3? or 39 to bendthis flange downwardly. Normally, however, these flanges 3'! and 39engage against the flange I I at the base of the groove 21.

A pair of rectangular links 49 are connected to the plate 34 in themanner illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Each link 49 is provided withsubstantially parallel side members 5|] and 5| which are connected bycross members 52 and 53 at a point spaced from the ends thereof. Thecross member 52 of one link and the cross member 53 of the next adjacentlink are positioned in the groove 26 between thebody of the plate 34 andthe flanges 31 and 39 of the ears 35 and 36. These links 49 arelongitudinallyslidable relative to the sections, the amount of thesliding movement being the difierence in the width of the cross members52 and 53 and the distance between the ears 35 and 36. As the sidemembers 50 and 5| of the links project beyond the cross members 52 and53, these longitudinal members are always in overlapping relation, thuspreventing the ends of the links from abutting to prevent the slidablemovement of the links in one direction.

The links 49 are disengageable from the flange II in the manner bestillustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. In Figure 6 of thedrawings the tool D is shown flexing the extremity of the flange 39downwardly toward the surface of the plate 34. While thus depressed thecross member 52 of one of the links 49 may be interposed between thefree end of the flange 39 and the flange II as illustrated in Figure 7of the drawings, whereupon thisl nls 48 may he with! drawn between the.flange. 39- and: the: flange; 1:1. and". disengaged froim the; sectionillustratedL.

I In; a similar: manner: theopposite linkImay be;

disengagedcfrorn. the section'to; which it, is. at.-.

tached by bending, the :flange. 31 downwardly to. wardzthe. plate 34and; engaging the;link end 53; between the flange 31 and the flange II.When:

been described in detail. A similarstructure is,

provided to connect various others of the flanges. As many of] theseconnecting structuresare identicalin form the parts thereof, have beendesignated by the. same identifyingnumerals as those used;ir 1connecting th'eflange 11. It should be noted also that the plates 34'and 4| which hold the links in place on the flange I I are connected tothe flange I I by rivets 54 or other suitable attaching means.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that a set of plates34 and 4| are likewise connected to the flange l2 of the end section IIIby rivets 55 or other suitable connecting means. The plates 34 and 4|enclose links 49 located in the slot 29, the various elements beingconnected in the manner previously described. An aperture 56 through theflange I2 permits the tool D to be inserted to detach any of the links49 from the plate 34 in the manner previously described.

A similar set of plates 34 and 4| are connected to the flange I3 of theend section In by rivets 51 or the like. The plates 34 and 4| detachablyconnect links 49 which are slidable in the slot 39. An aperture 59through the flange I3 permits the tool D to engage the flanges 31 and 39of the plate 34 so that the rings may be detached when desired.

The flange I9 or end wall of the end I6 likewise supports a pair ofplates 34 and 4|, these plates being connected by rivets 66. The plates34 and 4| act to hold in overlapping relation a pair of links 49 whichact to connect the end section I6 of one section B to the end section I6of the next adjacent section B. An aperture 6| is provided through theend wall I9 so that the tool D may be used to flex the flanges 3'1 and39 of the plate 34 in the event the links 49 connected thereto are to beremoved.

The length of the legs 43 on the plate 4| depends upon the diameter ofthe part of the shell C engaged. It will be noted that the two ends ofthe chute are of substantially the same size, but one end 62 of theshell C is of smaller diameter than the opposite end 64 thereof. As aresult the supporting legs on the plates must be varied in length toposition the plates closer together on the end section I6 to accommodatethe smaller diameter of the shell C. Obviously if the chute is designedto handle shells or other articles which are of similar thicknessthroughout their width, all of the plates used may be of similar sizeand shape.

In Figure 9 of the drawings I disclose a plate 65 which corresponds tothe plate 4| previously described and which may be substituted thereforto shorten the distance between these plates at one end of the sectionsB. The plates 65 are substantially flat throughout the major portion oftheir length, but are bent at one end 66 out of the plane of theremainder of the plate as illustrated. Legs 61 are connected to oppositesides of the plate 65 near the end 66 thereof and flanges or feet 69 areprovided on the legs 61 provide. a; means. of attaching; the. plates;tatt e cndi sections: I6. The; flanges 69., are. p vided: withapertures. 1.0:.- therethreugh. for; acoommm dating the. fastening";rivets; orother. attachin -1 means. 7

- As previouslydescribed-in conjunction with the description; of the;plate: 4 I3. the. legs. 61 re. cone nected tothe plates Bil-alongcurvedalines of; c on-- nect-ion late. The. connectin line between eachleg 61. and the-bent'end 6.6. of: the; plate 65-fo1; lows: the curvatureof 1 this. bent end". The other: edge. 1:23. of. each; leg. 1.1. is;also; cunvedtoward. the; foot; 6:9: to produce rounded; connectingportions. l3: between ,theslegssfil andithe plate. 6.5.. Thus.- theshoulders normally; formed in, bending the legs:;6;1;into.parallelrelation areeliminated; As; previousl described these shoulders usually.ex.. tend flush-with thQSlllffifiBe of the, plate 65. and. tend to catchor dig into articles passing over the plates 61. By recessing theconnecting portions and eliminating the flush rounded shoulders theefiiciency of the chute is greatly increased.

The manner in which the plates 65 are used is best illustrated inFigures 2, 3, and 5 of the drawings. As indicated in these figures aplate 34 overlies the groove 3| in the flange I1 of the end section I6and a plate 65 overlies the plate 34. Rivets I4 connect the plates 34and 65 to the flange 11. A pair of links 49 are connected in overlappingrelation between each plate 34 and the adjacent flange II to connecteach flange I1 to the corresponding flange ll of the next section B. Anaperture 15 is provided through the flange 11 to provide access to theflanges 31 and 39 of the plate 34 in the event the links 49 are to bedisengaged.

A similar arrangement is provided on the flange 26 of the end member I6.A plate 34 and a plate 65 are secured by rivets 13 to the flange 2|] tooverlie the groove 33. Links 49 are connected in overlapping relation inthe groove 33 between the plate 34 and the flange 29. An aperture 11 isprovided in the flange 26 to admit the tool D and to allow flexing of aflange 31 or 39 to permit removal of one or both of the overlappinglinks 49.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my flexible chute construction, andwhile I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, Idesire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within thescope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

I claim:

1. A flexible chute including a series of sections, each of saidsections being connected to the next adjacent section by a pair ofoverlapping links, said links being slidably supported between a portionof the section and a plate secured to the section, said plate having apair of opposed hook shaped resilient ears extending therefrom inopposed relation and terminating adjacent said body, each of said hookshaped ears extending through one of said links, said ears beingresiliently bendable toward the plate for permitting disconnection ofthe link through which the ear extends.

2. A flexible chute including a series of sections, means connectingsaid, sections for relative movement therebetween, a plate on eachsection designed to overlap a similar plate on the next adjacentsection, a body portion on each section to which said plate is secured,a pair of substantially to parallel legs on each plate for spacing theplate 7 from the body portion, means for securing said legs to the bodyportion, and a curved fold line between said legs and said plate, theends of said fold line terminating beneath the plane of the plate.

3. The structure described in claim 2 in which one end of the plate isbent out of the plane of the liner of the plate along said line of fold.

4. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections, means flexibleconnecting said sections together, a plate on each section extending inoverlapping relation with a similar plate on the next adjacent section,said plates being substantially flat throughout the major portion oftheir length and having an end bent toward the adjacent portion of thesection, legs on opposite sides of said plate for spacing the plate fromthe portion of the section to which the plate is attached, feet on 8.said legs, means for anchoring said feet to said section, and a roundedline of connection between said legs and said plate,.said rounded lineterminating substantially below the level of the plate at each endthereof and being substantially flush with the surface of the plateintermediate the ends.

WARREN H. NOBLES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,419,315 Elliott Aug. 22, 19472,449,849 Holmes Sept. 21, 1948

